The physical rehabilitation organization that was founded following Mary Marranzini’s efforts to deal with polio that affected her son Celso celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday, Thursday 3 October. The Asociacion Dominicana de Rehabilitacion marked the event with a mass at the Santo Domingo Cathedral attended by First Lady Candida Montilla. “There is a lot for which we have to thank the Lord in these 50 years,” said Dona Mary. Her son told Diario Libre that people who have lived with disabilities have more will and work power than those who haven’t.” Celso Marranzini recalled how a kick-start of funds from his grandfather helped his mother and other volunteers to create the institution that has done excellent work for people with disabilities over the past five decades. He said that everyone has disabilities; the only difference being that it is more apparent in some people than in others. “The tragedy of my suffering from polio became a blessing for my family, because many people have been able to receive quality care and become active members of society,” he said. Today the ADR has 27 branches nationwide. The ADR will continue celebrations with a benefit concert by Michel Camilo on 8 and 10 October. There will be a traditional fund-raising dinner, a golf tournament and a fundraising marathon.
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